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A South Kona man who set himself on fire and attempted to do the same to his ex-girlfriend has been charged with attempted murder and six other offenses.

Robert York

Robert York, 27, of Hōnaunau was charged at 7 p.m. Thursday with second-degree attempted murder, kidnapping, first-degree terroristic threatening, first-degree arson, criminal trespassing and two counts of abuse of a family/household member.

He was held at the Kona police cellblock in lieu of $66,250 bail until his initial court appearance Friday morning (February 17).

Police initially arrested York on suspicion of abuse, terroristic threatening and arson. Detectives revised the charges after consultation with county prosecutors.

The charges stemmed from an incident early Tuesday morning (February 14) at a home on Tobacco Road in Hōnaunau. York reportedly set fire to the front porch of his ex-girlfriend’s house and then doused her and himself with a flammable liquid and attempted to set them both on fire. After the woman’s relatives pulled York away from her, York set himself on fire.

Police arrested him Wednesday (February 15) when he was released from Kona Community Hospital, where he had been treated for his injuries.

The victim did not require medical attention for the injuries she received during the struggle with York.